Rex Ryan will resume more active role in Jets defense

John O'Boyle / The Star-LedgerRex Ryan has spent the past few weeks reflecting on how he can improve as a coach.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Rex Ryan is in town this week, but not for the reason he guaranteed. As the Giants and Patriots prepare to play in Super Bowl XLVI, the Jets coach has been brainstorming ways to improve on this season's disappointing 8-8 finish.

Ryan said he will be a more hands-on coach in 2012, particularly with the defense. He said he's spoken with defensive coordinator Mike Pettine about doing so.

"I know I can make an impact on defense, I always have my whole life, and I think I’ll even get more involved," Ryan said today on the red carpet of the inaugural "NFL Honors." "I’ve already talked to Mike about, 'Shoot, I’m going to run more meetings.' ... Not because he can't; he is terrific, Mike is absolutely terrific. But just for myself, I want to be more in touch with our players."

Ryan was vague when asked if he would take back some play-calling responsibilities, though it sounded as though he would. Pettine took over as the primary defensive play-caller this year. Ryan held that role in his first season as head coach, and Ryan and Pettine split duties in 2010.

The Jets defense was ranked first in the league in 2009, third in 2010 and fifth in 2011.

"We’ll see how that goes," Ryan said. "We’ll share like we have done in the past. I think that will be what we do. We have always gotten input, whether I am making the final call or Mike Pettine is making the call, or whatever. We have always had input from all the guys."

Ryan said he made a list of about 20 things he needs to improve on for next season, though he did not offer specifics. He said his habit is to identify areas he needs to improve and the team needs to improve, and then how to solve them.

"I always do that, but this year that list was a little longer on my improvement," Ryan said, adding: "I want to win, and I want to be here, I want to be in this Super Bowl. And I have never been considered the weakness of a football team, ever. I've always been a strength, if anything, and when I look at this past season, I have to do a better job."

The team's major flaw was chemistry, centering around the rift between quarterback Mark Sanchez and receiver Santonio Holmes. Ryan said the last time he spoke to Sanchez and Holmes, they had discussed spending time together to work through their differences.

"So that will be good," Ryan said. "The first year they had good chemistry together; this year, obviously something happened, and they’ve got to fix it. They owe it to our football team to fix it, and for us to be an excellent football team, they have to be on the same page."

Holmes actually sent a tweet to both Sanchez and nose tackle Sione Pouha yesterday: "Hope your (sic) getting as antsy as me for the 2012-13 season to start. One more day til we start to make that journey."

Ryan is known for making guarantees and predictions but he is staying mum on Super Bowl XLVI between the Giants and the Patriots.

"If I make a prediction on the Super Bowl, and if that team loses, I’ll get blamed for it," Ryan said. "So I'm not picking anything."

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Left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson is also in town but says he will leave before tomorrow's game. Ferguson said it is "hard to be here, because we wanted to be here." He is not supporting the Giants or the Patriots but believes the Jets' AFC East rivals will win.

Much blame for the 8-8 season has been pinned on Sanchez, but Ferguson said the issues were team-wide. He has spoken to Sanchez since the season ended, though not about the criticism in particular.

"I think it's unfair to point the finger at any one player," he said. "This just wasn't our year. As we continue to play together, and obviously with all the changes that have been made, that's just an example of how we're trying to go out do things differently."

Some of the changes have come on the offensive coaching staff. Tony Sparano replaced offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, and the Jets also have a new offensive line coach, Dave DeGuglielmo, after Bill Callahan left to become the Cowboys offensive coordinator.

Ferguson said he hasn't yet met Sparano or DeGuglielmo but did receive a text message from DeGuglielmo. He called Callahan a "great coach" and said he will be hard to replace.